English
is a language spoken by people in English speaking countries or in international events among countries around
the world. Ramelan (1992:2-3) stated that “English as an international language
is used to communicate, to strengthen and to fasten relationship among all
countries inthe world in all fields,
for example: in tourism, business, science and technology, etc. Considering the
importance of English, people from various non-English speaking countries
including Indonesia learn English.” Having proficiency in English, people will
be able to face this over-changing world easily. So, it is not surprising if
the number of people who are interested in learning English is getting
increased from time to time.

In
Indonesia, English has been taughtas a
foreign language. Ramelan(1992; 1)
stated that “English has been taught in our country as the first foreign language
since the proclamation in Indonesia on the 17th of August 1945.” It is taught as
a compulsory subject in junior high school and senior high school and inuniversities
or institutes for several terms. Even, it has been tried to be taught to the students
of some elementary schools.

Many
educational experts and the society do many efforts to make the teaching of
English better and better. They also consider the urgent role of English in the
world’s communication. To keep up with the world’s communication, Indonesian government
has made a significant step in the English teaching by renewing the 1994 curriculum
into 2004 Competency-Based Curriculum. This new curriculum enables students to
have a better way and materials in studying English.

In
the 2004 Competency-Based Curriculum, English teaching in junior high school
covers four competences; they are listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Those
basic competences are integratedlytaught because the main goal of teaching English is that students are
able to develop their communicative skills in both written and spoken English.
In addition, the language components – structure, vocabulary, spelling and
pronunciation – are not separately taught.They are to support the development of those basic competences.

The
students are expected to be able to communicate in English usingcorrect structure. Structure or grammar is
one of the basic components of language which must be learnt by students. It is
very useful andimportant as Raja T.
Nasr (1988:52) writes that grammar is a part of any language. Just as there is no
language without sounds (at least nolive or oral language) so, there is no language without grammar. Having
knowledge of grammar will help people to comprehend what other people say or
write. On the other hand, it is difficult for Indonesian students to use correct
structure in English. This is mostly because the students are influenced by their
mother tongue on the acquisition ofthe
new structures. Smith and Kellerman (1986:1) called that as a cross linguistic
influence because“it is about??????????????????????????